The Parish Team continue with the Youth Alpha Course on Mondays with some of the Senior Cycle years in all three Post Primary Schools. Last Monday we held a special day of Prayer for 60 young people involved in Youth Alpha. It was an amazing day. It began with Irish Breakfast in the Parish Centre followed by 3 hours input by Jonny Somerville who gave very inspiring talks. The young people had plenty of opportunity to discuss and explore different areas of their faith as well as spend some time in still and quiet of the Church. The Day concluded with lunch for all involved! We thank the young people for taking part and getting into the Spirit of the day and for the 12 parishioners who assisted on the day. A big thanks to the parishioners who sponsored the event. All expenses were covered by the sponsorship.The parish team will work with 1st and 2nd years as a follow up to the Sacrament of Confirmation. We have just finished working with 1st and 2nd Year pupils in Tullamore College. We thank the staff of Tullamore College for assisting us. We will begin working with 1st years in Colaiste Choilm next week.

Alpha is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten thought-provoking weekly sessions.

Over 16 million people worldwide have attended an Alpha course, an opportunity to explore the meaning of life, running in tens of thousands of churches of all denominations across the world.

Youth Alpha in Schools

On Monday we welcome Jonny Somerville to our Parish. Jonny will work with the Parish Team in the Post Primary schools on Mondays for the next three months. He will run three Youth Alpha Courses between now and Christmas during R.E Time. Please keep Jonny and the team as well as the young people participating in this exciting new initiative in your prayers.

Sunday Evenings for young people

This Sunday evening the Junior PPC and the Parish team will will hold an hour of music, prayer and craic for young people in Secondary Schools, from 7.00-8.00pm in the Day Chapel. This will run every Sunday. In time we hope to include a youth Alpha Course. We invite young people to come along and to bring a friend! We invite parents of teenagers to encourage their son or daughter to attend – they won’t be disappointed.

Classic Alpha Courses

Rev William Hayes and his team are currently running Classic Alpha Course in Loughreys Pub on Thursdays, 8.00pm. This will involve a 40 min live talk and discussion after.

In February 2012 the Parish team will run two Alpha courses. This will involve prayer, music, a 20 minute talk, refreshments and concludes with discussion. Last February the parish also ran two of these courses and over 50 people completed them. More details in the new year.

The course will run on Monday's beginning 31st January after the 10.00am Mass in the Parish Centre. There is also a chance to take part on Tuesday's, beginning 1st February at 8.00pm in the Day Chapel. The title of the first talk: Christianity: Boring, Untrue and Irrelevant?

What people say about alpha:What distinguishes Alpha from other initiatives is the easy-going, relaxed feel of the proceedings - that, and its astonishing success. - The Times, London

I was quite cynical ... but it was brilliant to be able to question openly in a supportive atmosphere

What Alpha offers, and what is attracting thousands of people, is permission, rare in secular culture, to discuss the big questions - life and death and their meaning. - The Guardian, London

Alpha is simple. Its all about friendship with each other and with Jesus Christ, the only hope for our lives. - Ger Nevin, Offaly

I find Alpha exciting. I'm the kind of person that loves a challenge. Alpha has given me a language to speak to people I meet about Jesus. It has even given me a language to share my faith with my own children. Pat Shannon, Dublin businessman

WHAT IS ALPHA?

Alpha is a 10-week course that explores some of the basic truths of the Christian faith: “Who is Jesus? Why did Jesus die? Does God still heal today?” It is Christ-centred and scripturally based and has the backing of all the Christian denominations. The course is relaxing, non-threatening, low key, friendly and fun. Participants meet weekly and listen to a talk lasting 20 minutes. They then break into small groups to discuss the talk and questions arising from it. During the course there is a day focusing on the Holy Spirit.Alpha is an exciting way to rejuvenate or rediscover ones faith and to apply it to daily life.

Q. I have recently returned to Mass and want to get more understanding. What is the plan for selecting the Gospels for Sunday Mass?

A. The four Gospels are spread over a three year plan. Matthew, Mark and Luke each have a year devoted to them. There are sections from John in each cycle, especially between Easter and Pentecost. This year concentrates on Matthew, a Gospel notable for the amount of Jesus’ teaching it contains. Especially important is the Sermon on the Mount, Chapters 5-7. It is there, more than anywhere else, that we read the charter of God for society. We are challenged to imitate the unconditional love of God the Father.

Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Intercom Dec/Jan

The Alpha course continues this week, Monday 28th February, after the 10.00am Mass in the Parish Centre and Tuesday, 8.00pm in the Day Chapel.

The theme this week is: Why and how do I Pray?

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